Self-love on New Year's Eve

I don't know about you guys, but New Year's Day always seems to sneak up on me. The weeks leading up to Christmas are so busy and exciting that I hardly think about the upcoming new year. Then suddenly it's New Year's Eve, and I'm scribbling down a few thoughtless resolutions that, even as I write them, I know I won't keep. Consequently, I feel frustrated about my lack of self-reflection and goal setting. Really, I just feel frustrated about me.

Last year around this time, I was in a yoga class when the instructor said something that I found very refreshing. As we were ending our practice, she asked each of us if we would, in addition to our resolutions, make a list of things we were not going to change about ourselves. She told us to look inward and find the things we love about who we are and determine not to lose them. What is it about 19 year old Emily that I want to find in 20 and 21 year old Emily?

Isn't that refreshing?? As the commercial world begins to blow its promises of a newer, thinner, smarter, more organized, happier you, it is nice to remember that not everything needs to change. You already have special attributes and talents that are worth protecting. If we are entirely focused on what should change, we may lose sight of all the goodness that is already within us. Instead of jumping straight into nitpicking your every move, take a look at the positive changes 2016 brought to yourself.

I think too often we look back at our younger selves, and grimace over things we said, or did, or even just thought about; forgetting that he/she is the one that got us where we are now. This New Year's Eve I am trying to look back on 2016 with gratitude for 18 year old Emily. Gratitude for the good habits she picked up, for the friends she made, and the person she tried to become. Not everything went perfectly, but there was a lot of goodness in her heart that I'd like to keep a hold of.

I'll probably still end up making a list of resolutions. Who knows--maybe some of them will even happen this year.  But I hope that as I set out into the journey of 2017, I'll remember to invite all the goodness of 2016 along to help.

I Heart H4

Hello! I know, it has been a while. I could blame my absence on being a busy college student, but really I just fell out of the habit of writing every week. As this semester was some of the happiest four months in my life, I regret not having it better documented. But alas, onward and upward!

So remember earlier this summer when I wrote my first post about naming box elder bogs bob? Well, now it is time for another semester recap. To give you a general feel for Fall 2016, I find the words of Emily Dickinson more than appropriate:

"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet."

Oh how true this is. Having started my mission application during the summer months, I knew my time in apartment H4 was short. Jess and I quickly determined and I quote, that we were going to have "SO MUCH FUN" together as our time as roommates. Simple as that. My impending departure could make things bitter or sweet, and we were determined to have the latter. And "boy" (hehe) did we. 

We found ourselves living in the cutest, tiniest apartment with the sweetest, funniest girls. I had no idea it was possible to have so many good days in a row. Nor did I know about certain stomach muscles that began to ache from laughing alllllll day. Six girls with a love for life created an atmosphere constantly bubbling with laughter. Let me give you sample of some the shenanigans that went on daily in H4. My case in point, our waging war on the hair beasts. For those of you who are in blissful ignorance, a hair beast is a disgusting wad of hair created as feet drag across the carpet of an apartment of six girls. Nearly everyday, someone (okay usually just me or Becca. Everyone else had a bit more decorum) would shriek, "Ah!! HAIR BEAST!" While pulling a long train of entangled blonde and dark hair from the carpet. We would when then both giggle and gag our way to the nearest garbage can. Soon the beasts took on a new tactic we deemed psychological warfare. Basically, you would feel one under your foot only to look and see nothing but innocent carpet. We often threatened to report the beasts to the UN for this unfair warfare. And we can't forget the panic that ensued after Becca found one lounging on her bed. That was low. In an effort to fight back, we posted a sticky note notice on the wall that read, "Please, do not feed the hair beasts." It didn't really work. After four months of diligent combat, I think we had to succumb to their superior intellect. I mean, we were basically fighting ourselves. Good luck next semester girls.

Looking back, I think part of what made the laughter come so easily was a genuine love for each other. We were always looking for ways to serve, whether that be making a bed or sharing a dinner. "How are you?" "How was your test?" "Did you talk to him?" Were all questions asked with deep sincerity and an ear ready to listen (especially the last one ;)). It felt so good to be cared about while away from home. We often referred to each other as a team. Charging out the front door in the morning chanting, "Gooo team!" Or sarcastically after an embarrassing conversation, "ah, go team." This kind letter from Jess, which I found waiting on my bed along with concerned roommates who wanted to make sure I got home safe, is just one example:

Living with Jess is great because there is never a shortage of "Christian and his cute friends" equivalents :). Thanks for teaching me about loving your fellow men team :) I know from living with you, that kindness is always the right way to go. 

And I can't write about Fall 2016 without mentioning our EPIC dance parties. Like, dripping sweat after three minutes kind of EPIC. Here is our usual playlist: 

*Note: "Come on Eileen" was always played first, if not multiple times. It really became the H4 anthem ;)

1. Come on Eileen

2. I Would Walk 500 Miles

3. Sweet Caroline

4. All About that Bass

5. One Call Away

We would turn off all the lights, except the blue strand around our window, and rock out while sweet Chrystal laughed at us from the couch. Thanks for teaching me there is no better stress reliever than a crazy dance party team. (okay I already knew that, but thanks for indulging me ;)).

Sam suggested that we do a roommate gift exchange to finish out the semester. I'm so glad we had her to keep us doing fun things and thinking about others :) We ended up having the best time picking out gifts for our person and stuffing stockings on "fake" Christmas morning. I made this little video to show on our Christmas morning of pictures from throughout the semester. Then we all went out to breakfast at Angie's. It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful semester. 

I would say moving out was bittersweet, but thanks to Maya, Sam, Chrystal, Becca and Jess it truly was just..........sweet.

Thanks team.

Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-J9rVccPQpUc2N5VnVFTHduMHM/view?usp=sharing